Design Analysis of High-Efficiency Low-Stress Ceramic Gas Turbines

The gains which can be realized in gas-turbine cycles by lowering the pressure ratio, increasing the degree of regeneration, and utilizing multistage compressors and turbines, are much increased design-point thermal efficiency; very much higher part-load efficiency; and much reduced centrifugal stress, attachment stress, and foreign-object-damage stress. These gains, and the size penalty associated with this approach, are evaluated to a first approximation. The net benefits should be substantial for many applications where size limits are not stringent, for instance trucks and boats, and where reduced fuel consumption is of paramount importance.